Chicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons NBA Picks & Predictions 3/9/2018

Friday, March 9, 2018

Little Ceasars Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Little Ceasars Arena to play the Detroit Pistons on Friday, March 9, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Detroit as 8.5 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 22-42. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -6.0 as they are averaging 103.4 points per game while giving up 109.4 per contest. The Pistons have an overall record of 29-36. They currently are 4th in the Central Division. They are averaging 103.1 points per game and surrendering 104.4, good for a point differential of -1.3.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 33-29-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 34-30-0 against the over/under

Important Detroit Pistons Betting Trends

The Detroit Pistons are 28-35-2 against the spread

The Detroit Pistons are 27-35-3 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

03/08/18 F Paul Zipser Foot is "?" Friday vs Detroit

Key Detroit Pistons Injuries

12/27/17 PG Reggie Jackson Ankle is out indefinitely
11/25/17 F Jon Leuer Ankle is out for season
03/08/18 F Stanley Johnson Back is "?" Friday vs Chicago

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen comes into this contest averaging 14.9 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 7.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 86%. Zach Lavine averages 17.1 points per game in 27.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.2 assists per contest and 4 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Blake Griffin averages 21.7 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per contest this year for the Pistons. He grabs 7.5 rebounds per game and has 5.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 78%. Andre Drummond averages 15.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 15.8 rebounds per contest and 3.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 62%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 103.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -6.03 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 44.7 rebounds per game and 23.4 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 20th with 13.9 per game. The Bulls allow 109.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 21st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.6 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 25.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Detroit is 24th in the league with 103.1 points per game this year. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -1.26. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 6th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 43.2 boards per game, and 16th in assists per contest with 22.6. The Pistons are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.7. The Pistons surrender 104.4 points per contest, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 25 assists allowed per contest and 18th with 43.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pistons are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 29th in the league in defensive rating with 110.2, and their offensive rating of 104.1 is ranked 9th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 29th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA. Chicago is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Detroit is 22nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 10th in the league. The Pistons are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.8, and their defensive rating of 108.1 is ranked 19th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Bulls/Pistons NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Detroit -8.5

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